At Nibras International School, a leading American curriculum school in Dubai, academic achievement is more than a goal - it is a culture. One standout example of this is our Grade 11 student Lisa, who recently had her AP Psychology research paper published in the Universal Journal of Pharmacy, an international academic journal.Lisa’s paper, titled “Gender Differences in Eyewitness Memory: Implications for Forensic Psychology and the Justice System,” began as her final project for her AP Psychology course. Now, it is making waves far beyond the classroom, showcasing the kind of excellence NIS students strive for in their AP Courses.From Class Discussion to Published WorkThe idea for Lisa’s research came from a simple conversation with a friend, which is proof that great ideas can come from anywhere.“We were talking about how people remember things differently, especially in the justice system,” Lisa explained. “I’m also taking a Forensics class, and we had just covered memory. That is when I got curious about how memory works differently in men and women.”That curiosity led to a deep dive into existing research. Lisa used the literature review method, spending weekends and breaks pouring over academic journals, taking notes, and analyzing findings.“It was a lot,” she admitted. “I’ve never really enjoyed reading academic papers, but this time, I stuck with it, even when it got really tough. I had to push myself.”Lessons in Research, Writing, and ResilienceLisa’s project didn’t just deepen her understanding of psychology, it also taught her the importance of writing well and editing thoroughly. These skills that are essential in an AP Courses and beyond.“I used to skip proofreading, but not this time,” she said. “I asked my friends, my teacher, even my parents to help me review it. I wanted to make sure anyone reading my paper would really understand what I was trying to say.”Through this process, Lisa realized just how much effort goes into academic writing, and how rewarding it can be.“When I was writing the part about cognitive function, I knew I had to explain it clearly. That made me go back and reread everything. I actually enjoyed that part of the learning process.”
